The Secret World Invites Krampus Over For The Holidays In New Expansion

Everyone knows about Santa, Rudolph, Frosty and that whole merry bunch of Christmas do-gooders. But the darker side of the holiday season has its own iconic characters, too, and The Secret World is finally giving one of them their much-deserved time in the spotlight. All hail Krampus, the Christmas demon!

In old country, Santa doesn’t leave a lump of coal whenever a child has been naughty throughout the year. No, they do things a little more hardcore. When a child turns misbehavior into their new norm, Krampus the Christmas demon comes from his home in Niflheim, crawls in through their window, shoves them in a sack and returns to his home to feast on their delicious flesh. You see, children, being naughty makes you taste absolutely deeelicious to Krampus, so he’ll probably take his time nibbling you bit by bit, starting with the toes and enjoying every scrumptious morsel as he works his way up.

Aaaaaaah, Christmas. It’s such a joyous time of year. And now the folks at Funcom are celebrating this darker side of the holiday with the latest expansion to their free-to-play MMO, The Secret World, in the “A Mother of a Season” DLC.

The Secret World sets itself apart from most MMOs in that it takes place in modern times and deals with magic and the dark arts rather than orcs, giant dragons and vampires. Okay, well, some of that stuff is actually in there, but not in the way you’re used to seeing in games like World of Warcraft or Lord of the Rings Online. Legends of old are given a modern makeover, allowing them to fit in nicely to this darker, more adult take on the genre that has players fighting to save the realm of man from all manner of evil-doers.

With the game’s latest expansion, players will have a brand new icy region to explore and, yes, they will come face to face with the legendary Krampus along the way.

“The Krampus roams the land in search of naughty children to punish,” reads the DLC announcement from Funcom. “But the players have the chance to turn the tables on this wicked creature. Those who are clever can follow the Krampus to its home in Niflheim.”

In this new region, players will actually be able to wage war against entire herds of Krampuses (Krampi?), as well as the ruler of the realm herself, Hel.

“This all new event does not only bring these challenges, along with many new and unique rewards and outfits, but also lets those who fight in player versus player battles become The Lord of Misrule,” continues the press release. “[This] makes them change shape to a Krampus in a Santa outfit and get many new and wondrous abilities, like dropping exploding presents on their opponents.”

If that last bit doesn’t put you in the holiday spirit, then I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do for you, dear reader. To check out the game for yourself, head on over to the official site and get to playing.